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American History Chapter 23-3. The U.S. Enters the War. Should Americans Get Involved?. Did not join the League of Nations for fear of war. Pacifists : People who are against the use of military force. Most Americans believed we should defend ourselves.
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American History Chapter 23-3 The U.S. Enters the War
Should Americans Get Involved? • Did not join the League of Nations for fear of war. • Pacifists: People who are against the use of military force. • Most Americans believed we should defend ourselves. • 1935 – Neutrality Act: Unlawful to sell war supplies or make loans to warring nations. • FDR did not want to remain neutral. • Gave the Quarantine Speech: Compared war to a disease. • HISTORY’S VOICES • “The peace, the freedom, and the security of 90 percent of the population of the world is being jeopardized by the remaining 10 percent who are threatening a breakdown of all international order and law.” • —Franklin D. Roosevelt, October 5, 1937
The Isolationists Lose Support • 1938 – Congress approved FDR’s request to build up the navy. • Neutrality laws changed to cash-and-carry: Allowed for the sale of military goods to warring nations. • 1940 – FDR traded 50 warships to Britain for 8 military bases. • 1940 – FDR is elected for a 3rd term over republican Wendell Wilkie. • Lend-Lease Act: Provided Britain with weapons, regardless of their ability to pay.
The U.S. Commits • Aug. 1941: Roosevelt & Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter, a pact against Hitler & his allies. • German subs began attacking American ships. • In Japan, Hideki Tojo, planned an attack against the U.S. • Dec. 7, 1941 The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. • U.S. officials knew that a Japanese attack was coming but they were not sure where. Tojo
Americans felt anger and fear. • 8 battleships damaged or sunk. • 200 aircraft destroyed. • 2,400 Americans dead. • The U.S. goes to war against the Axis Powers.